Controlling means



July 25, 1933. I l. M. LADDON El AL 1,919,520

I CQNTROLLING MEANS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 20, 1927 F/af INVENTORISSAC M-LADDON WILLIAM A mm;

ATTORNEY FRED N- HERMRN July 25, 1933 I. M. LADDON' El" AL CONTROLLINGMEANS Filed June 26, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR' |55AC M- LADDON-WILL\AM A. R[NG| FRED w. HERMA ATTORNEY Jul 25,1933;

l. M. LADDON ET AL g CONTROLLING MEANS Filed June 20, 1927 QSheets-Sheet3 INVENITOR ISSAC M. LADDON WILLIAM.A.R\NG| FRED w. HERMAN Patented July25, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ISAAC M. LADDON, WILLIAM A. RING,AND FRED W. IEL'IERJMIAN, OF DAYTON, OHIO, ASSIGNORS TO BENDIX BRAKECOMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A. CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS CONTROLLINGMEANS Application filed June 20,

This invention relates to controlling means for aeroplanes and the like,and is illustrated as embodied in novel means for controlling the brakesand the rudder of an aeroplane.

In one desirable arrangement, the rudder (or an equivalent steeringdevice) is operated by a centrally-pivotel rudder bar which also carriesthe brake-applying pedals or the like. This permits the pilot to operateeither or both of the brakes, or the rudder, Without removing his feetfrom the pedals. The particular mechanism mounted on the bar alsoembodies in itself substantial novelty.

The above and other features of the inven tion will be apparent from thefollowing description of one illustrative embodiment shown in theaccompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the con trolling means, and of adjacentparts of the aeroplane;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the controlling means shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the controlling means;

Figure 4 is a front elevation of one of the pedals;

gigure 5 is a side elevation of the pedal; an

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the aeroplane, broken away to show therudder and brake mechanism.

In the arrangement selected for illustration, the aeroplane includes anelevating device 10 operated by the usual means, a rudder 12 or someequivalent steering device, operated by cables or the like, 14, and apair of brakes on the landing wheels, one of which brakes is showndiagrammatically at 16. and which brakes are operated by cables or thelike 18. The present invention relates to the means for operating therudder 12 and the brakes 16, or equivalent parts.

Preferably the rudder is operated by a rudder bar 20, mounted at itscenter 'by a pivot 22 on a cross member 24, and to the opposite ends ofwhich the cables 14 are shown connected. 1

Bar 20 has at its opposite ends pairs of arms 26, between each pair ofwhich is 1927. serial No. 199,981.

mounted a novel reversible and adjustable channel-section pedal 28 onpivots 30. Each of the pedals can be reversed from full-line position todotted-line position in Figure 5, or vice versa, to adjust it for heightto suit the pilot. y

In dotted-line position, the pedal is held by a spring-pressed plungeror catch 32, while in full-line position it is held by engagement withone or more lugs 34. Lugs 34, or catch 32, may be provided either on thearms 26 or on the pedal itself. When the catch is mounted on one of thearms 26, it may engage an opening 36 in the pedal.

Each of the pedals is connected by a tension element 38, such as a shortcable, with the longer arm of a lever 40 pivoted at 42 on the bar 20.The ends of the brake-applying cables 18 are attached to the levers 40,which may, if desired, be formed with guide sectors 44 carrying thecables immediately adjacent the axis about which bar 20 swings, so thatthe brakes are not affected by manipulation of the rudder.

The above-described mechanism may, if desired, be reversed to be hungfrom above instead of mounted on a member below the rudder bar.

While one illustrative embodiment has been described in detail, it isnot our intention to limit the scope of the invention to that particularembodiment, or otherwise than by the terms of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In an airplane, a control surface, wheels, brakes for said wheels, acentrally pivoted horizontal bar, means cooperating with said bar foroperating said control surface, a pair of levers pivotally mounted endto end on said bar. connections between said lever and said brakes, andpedals mounted on theends of said bar and connected respectively to saidlevers.

2. An airplane comprising a control surface, a pair of wheels, brakesfor said wheels, a centrally pivoted horizontal bar, means actuated bysaid bar for operating said control surface, a pair of levers pivotallymounted end to end on, said bar, connections between said lever and saidbrakes for operating said brakes, and pedals acting both on said bar andon said levers.

3. An airplane, comprising a control surface, a pair of wheels, brakesfor said wheels, 3. pair of levers arranged end to end, connectionsactuated by said levers for, operating said brakes, pedals operatingsaid levers respectively when rocked about their axes, and meansactuated by bodily movement of the pedal for operating said controlsurface.

4. An airplane comprising a control surface, a pair of wheels, brakesfor said wheels, a pair of levers pivoted intermediate their ends andarranged end to end and connected at their adjacent ends to operate saidbrakes,

' pedals at the outer ends of the levers operating said leversrespectively when rocked about their axes and means operated by bodilymovement of the pedals for actuating said control surface.

5. An airplane comprising a control surface, a pair of wheels, brakesfor said wheels, a pair of levers arranged end to end, connectionsbetween said levers and said brakes, and

edals actuated when rocked about their axes or operatingsaid leversrespectively.

6. An airplane comprising a control surface, a pair of wheels, brakesfor said wheels,

a pair of levers pivoted intermediate their ends and arranged end to endand connected at their adjacent ends to operate the brakes, and pedalsat the outer ends of the levers operating said levers respectively whenrocked about their axes.

7. In an'airplane a rudder, a rudder bar for controlling said rudder, apair of wheels, a pair of brakes for said wheels, and a pair of brakelevers arranged end to end on said rudder bar for controlling saidbrakes.

8. In an airplane a rudder, a rudder bar for controlling said rudder, apair of wheels, a pair of brakes for said wheels, and a pair of brakelevers arranged end to end on said rudder bar for controlling saidbrakes, and each provided with an operating connection approximately atthe center of the bar and leading to said brakes.

9. In an airplane a rudder, arudder bar for controlling said rudder, apair of wheels, apair of brakes for said wheels, and a pair of brakelevers arranged end to end on said rudder bar for controlling saidbrakes, both provided with an operating'connection approximately at thecenter of the bar each leading to its respective brake, and bothpositioned with their outer ends adjacent to the opposite ends of thebar.

ISAAC M. LADDON. WILLIAM A. RING. FRED W. HERMAN.

